Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Is it a napkin? Is it a curtain? It's both.

Several months ago I found myself in a HomeGoods store, which is never a bad thing. Upon combing the aisles, I stumbled upon the perfect set of napkins, made with a blue and white ticking-esque oxford fabric. Since I cannot walk away from anything ticking-related, I picked them up, all the while knowing that I did not need and probably wouldn't use four more cloth napkins.

Fast forward a couple of months....I'm in my kitchen, still lamenting my lack of suitable window covering options. I ordered bamboo shades from BB&B, but didn't like the way they impeded (is that a word?) my view. I'm tall, you know. I didn't like the fact that they covered some of my prime gazing territory. Plus, they looked a little...brown.

Still, the bare windows looked unfinished.

But, would cafe curtains look fussy?

And yet, I would love the opportunity to bring some fabric and pattern into the mix.

(These are the things I wrestle with late at night. I am not up late eating pizza or watching horror flicks...I'm tossing and turning about curtains! What are your thoughts about my crazy dreams, now?)

I'm not completely sure when it hit me, but thank my lucky stars, it did.

They were the perfect length. I just clipped them right up. An indesputable kitchen miracle.

No sooner was I patting myself on the back, celebrating my own utter brilliance, than I remembered that the other window is much larger. Now what?

I'll tell you what - "slipcovered" curtains.

I cut up a Lowe's drop cloth (so perfectly nubby and neutral) to size, then waited patiently for the next month, until my mama could come up for a visit and thread my sewing machine.

(That's right, I have one. My pal Lindsay gave it to me in a fit of unbridled optimism pointed right in my direction. I quickly stashed it in the train room and tried to muster the courage to make friends with it...but it took some time.)

At last, Mom arrived. She sewed the first one and I sewed the next. I sewed!

I. Sewed.

I've got the picture to prove it. Do I look excited, or what?

After stitching around the raw edges, my mom was kind enough to hand-sew these cool hooks and eyes. I cannot get enough of their metal-y goodness. Ticking + nubby beige + black metal = my new trifecta. And I'm sorta kicking around the idea of stitching up a set of "slipcovers" from an amazing white eyeletish tablecloth, also purchased the very same day at HomeGoods. Can you imagine - two amazing and distinct options at my fingertips!

The moral of the story: Never doubt a HomeGoods purchase. Tell your husbands that I said so.

You are a very funny gal! Stroke of genius on the curtains! They look adorable in you country home! P.s. I often toss and turn the night away pondering various decorating delimas too. Great minds work alike! Traci

I love your use of the english language, but please tell me what the heck this phrase is, "white ticking-esque oxford fabric"? I know I am light years behind you in all of this stuff, but you've really got me thinking I will never catch up.

I love your airy kitchen. It just looks like it would smell of lemons. I tried to paint my bathroom that lovely blue, and the house rejected it. I know that sounds 'ri dick er us' but seriously, it's like my house insists on earthy colors.

LOL, what a cute post! Love the ticking...and I'm so impressed that you sewed. Oh how I wish I could find the time and patience to learn to sew - I'm always so jealous when someone does something cute like this, but gosh darn I can't copy the idea because I don't sew!!

Hello! This is my first time visiting your blog..via Peanut Petunia. You have a super cute kitchen! Love your new curtains! I will be back for more. Come visit me at: http://littlebitvintage.blogspot.com/

We are not quite done with our remodel yet...gettin' there, the counter top guy comes to measure tomorrow. And...a question, do you like the vinyl back splash tiles? That's what I've picked out but wondered what they're like to clean. Let me know, we're ordering Saturday.XOXOJoni

I love your kitchen. The white cabinets and the soft blue walls are a knock out! and the open shelves. Your curtain idea is great. When your up at night brainstorming give me a call I'm probably doing the same. It's so nice to meet you~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

I've never been to a Home Goods store. We don't have them here! I'm so jealous as I see all these wonderful things you gals buy there! I too love ticking, and have been looking for cloth napkins. Oh well, I'll just have to stitch up some. Good job sewing. It's a skill you'll need time and again! You did a phenomenal job, both with your sewing and your imagination!Brenda

I am in love with your kitchen... well, your whole house, inside and out. I keep thinking about the perfect green kitchen stool in these photos. Do you happen to know the brand of it? I've been searching Ebay, etc. but haven't been able to find the perfect one. Thanks a million!

I have found them at Target and Lowes. I think almost everywhere has them...like even Wal Mart. :) For our new house I wanted smaller ones, so I ordered them off Amazon. They were inexpensive but there weren't many in that small size. Hope that helps! I just recently switched from my floral "curtains" to blue and white oxford stripes to red/white chevron with aqua edging. Endless options! Do it. :)